Goransson Wins Melges 32 National Championship

Monday, August 22, 2016 4:37 AM

After a weekend of challenging, moderate conditions in Newport, RI, Richard Goransson and his Inga from Sweden team have claimed the 2016 US Melges 32 National Championship hosted by Sail Newport. Capping a weekend full of tight racing with lead changes around the track, it was fitting that the final race had three teams fighting for the regatta win which was ultimately decided by less than half a bowsprit.

Three races were scheduled for the final day and PRO Anderson confidently brought the fleet to the "Halfway Rock" course North of the Newport Harbor Bridge. After two days of pounding chop and light air on the outside course the move inside was a welcome relief for trimmers and drivers.

Laying in the weeds at fifth place overnight, Ryan DeVos and his Volpe team recovered after a tough start and took the bullet in Race Six. Regatta leaders Jason Carroll with Graham Landy at the helm of Argo and Goransson stubbed their toes and had tough races in the tricky inside conditions.

With an increasing east-southeast breeze and ebb tide, conditions became more lively for Race Seven and the standings grew even tighter. Starting mid-line, nailing the left side of the first beat and showing solid speed, Goransson grabbed the race win followed by a suddenly dangerous Volpe team, and Argo in third place.

Headed into the final race, Carroll/Landy held a two-point lead over Goransson, and three points over Ryan DeVos. With a strong battle for the pin, Carroll/Landy and Goransson both found themselves OCS and having to buck the current to clear themselves. Ryan DeVos started clean but struggled on the first beat with the three leaders rounding deep at the first top mark.

Ryan and Goransson extended on the first run and gained in a big right shift that saw them advance to first and second at the gates, while Carroll/Landy gybe-set and rolled snake eyes rounding deep. DeVos held a slim margin on the final downwind, and in a who-beat-who battle to win the event. Goransson snuck in at the pin in a simo-gybe to grab the bullet and regatta win. Carroll/Landy charged hard on the final run to grab fifth, finishing the event in third overall.

CORINTHIAN CHAMPS CROWNED
Having steadily climbed the Melges 32 ladder the past few season, Chris Wientjes and his Stormvogel team fended off the Morgan Kiss on Hydra to claim the 2016 Corinthian National Championship title. Wientjes won Race Four while the kids showed they came ready to play with a second place finish in Race Fiver. In the end, Wientjes and his new squad won the title by two points.

THANK YOU
A huge thank you to Anderson Reggio, Sail Newport RC, volunteers and judging team for providing a first-class race course allowing the fleet to keep the battle on the water and focus on the racing. The Melges 32 class returns to Newport September 27th for the beginning of the 2016 Worlds Championships hosted by Sail Newport. An epic event is in the works and if the Nationals is any indication, the World Championship will be determined by the slimmest of margins.

MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGE
As with all other Melges 32 events around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post racing at melges32.com.